An Old Gun - Ed Juchem

Ed Juchem was surrounded by weapons during for 23 years in the Army. Now he has retired to operate The Gunbox in upper Newport News.

His old-fashioned shop is filled by weapons obsolete a century ago or newer models designed more for showing than shooting. About 35 percent of his inventory consists of collectible firearms.

These are generally priced between $300 to $700, and are scarce because of age or limited production. An example is the Smith & Wesson 44-40, a 44-caliber handgun similar to those carried by the legendary Texas Rangers.

"It's a modern handgun made in the old caliber but dressed up with the Ranger crest and gold leaf," he says. "You can't fire it - you can't even send in the registration card if you want it as a collectible."

Juchem came to Denbigh when he was assigned to Fort Eustis and liked it so much, he remained after retiring as a marine engineering instructor at the Transportation School.

"I opened The Gunbox in 1981 and had a heart attack in 1983," he says. "My wife, Sandra Elaine, had to learn the business real quick. She has taken over as owner/operator now. Because of my illness, I'm not in the shop that much these days."

But, it was hard work starting his business, he says. "I needed to be in the shop six days a week and I worked 12 hours each day. I guess that is what gave me a heart attack."

Today's success is all the more remarkable for his beginning as a ninth-grade dropout. Juchem says he has dyslexia, a mental short circuit that hampers reading skills.

"It wasn't diagnosed in school, and I didn't know it until I was in the Navy and had to read the training manuals," he says.

It hasn't slowed him down - he became an Army warrant officer and directed maintenance of about 1,500 vessels in the Saigon Port Command. He also has passed the Coast Guard examination as a marine engineer.